Hand-cultivator



(No Model.)

A. J. OSBORNE. HAND GULTIVATOR.

Patented Sept. 29 1891.

w: NORRIS PEYERS cm, mum-mum, wnsuma'ron, n. c

UNIT D STATES PATENT ()Fmcn.

ANDREIV J. OSBORNE, OF ERIE, ILLINOIS.

HAN D-CU LTIVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 460,157, datedSeptember 29, 1891.. Application filed June 30, 1891. Serial No.398,042. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. OSBORNE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Erie, in the county of IVhiteside and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I-Iand-Gultivators;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in hand-cultivators; and itconsists of three steel blades of a peculiar conformation drawn atvariant distances from a common center, at which the implement isprovided with a handle of any desired length. 'The center blade is butone-half the width of the outside blades and is adjustable forward andback and optionally removable.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a perspective of the three outting-blades in their relativeposition and their pointof connection to acommon socket. Fig. 2 is thesame with the central blade and its bow removed. Fig. 3 exhibits detailsof a side elevation of one of the side bows and its adjunctive blade andof the center bow and its blade.

Similar letters referto similar parts throu ghout the several views.

A is an ordinary socket adapted to receive any suitable handle B fordrawing the implement.

O G are bows suitably attached to the lower end of the socketA anddiverging therefrom and arched upward, as shown in Fig. 3. To the rearor free ends of the bows O C are suitably attached, respectively, steelblades D D. These blades have downwardly-tapering sides and a forwardinclination at their lower ends, as shown in Fig. 3, from theirtransverse 0btuse angle K. The bows C are nine inches from their pointof attachment to the socket A to the upper extremity of the blades D,said bows being suitably attached at the center of the upper edge of theblades D. The greatest width of the blades D is three inches and theirgreatest length is six inches.

E is a socket projected rearwardly from the top of the socket A andbraced laterally by rods F F, extending in opposite directions from thesocket E to the bows O O and attached to socket E and bows C and servingthe double purpose of bracing the socket E and holding the bows O intheir relative position. A third bow G is adapted at its forward end tobe inserted in the socket E and extends rearwardly slightly beyond therear ends of the bow C, and is there attached to the third or centralblade H,having a like angle K. This central blade II is of the samelength and general conformation as the blades D, except that it is onlyhalf the width of the other blades, and the interval between the bladesD is such that the blade H will cultivate the same after the passage ofthe blades D. In the upper surface of the socket E is seated a set-screwJ, which serves to tighten the bow G in the socket E, and by means ofwhich the bow G, and thereby the blade H, may be adj ustably fastenedforward and back in reference to the other blades, as the nature andcondition of the ground may render most desirable.

All of the bows and blades are made of the best steel.

In the use of my invention the center blade H is removed in straddlingthe rows of growing plants,in which condition the implement can also beused as a double hoe. In cultivating between the rows or while theinvention is being used as a hand-cultivator all three of the blades areutilized. By placing the blade H slightlyin the rear of the blades D Dthe three can be brought together and at the same time permit thepassage of the loose earth off the inner edges of the blades D withoutinterfering with the action of the blade H. The blade H is shiftedbackward in each instance to create an interval proportionate to thequantity of earth or weeds discharged by blades DD. By this constructionthe ordinary unmoved portions of earth between the outside blades can bereached and cultivated.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, is p 1. The combination of the sooketA, adapted toreceive a suitable handle B, divergent bows 0, attached at their forwardends to said socket A, the socket E, rigidly seated upon the socket Aand provided with set-screw J, the bow G,

adapted to be adjustably attached to socket E and provided at itsrearward end with blade H, substantially as shown, and for the purposedescribed.

2. The combination of the socket A, adapted to receive a suitable handleB, divergent bows C, rigidly attached at their forward ends to saidsocket and diverged rearwardlyin opposite directions therefrom andprovided at their rear ends with blades D, socket E, rigidly seated uponsocket A and provided with setscrew J, tie-rods F, extending laterallyin opposite directions from socket E and attached at their outer ends tothe bows 0, how G, adapted to be adjustably inserted in socket E andprovided at its rear end with blade H, substantially as shown, and forthe purpose described.

In testimony'whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.ANDREW J. OSBORNE.

Witnesses:

ROBERT T. J AMES,

EDMUND J. HOWELL.

